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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » New car buying R56 MINI vs VW GTI vs ???

April 21, 2011 8:46 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

Well my scatterbrained car search is nearing a conclusion. I've considered new and used, muscle cars, hatchbacks, econoboxes, luxor-barges... all my friends are making fun of my indecisiveness.

I've decided that the cars I'm considering it probably makes more sense to get new, MCS and GTI, what with warranties and what not.

MINI dealer wants MSRP, inventory or order, I've only been able to get them down $500. I guess they are just that popular. Anyway, any advice and/or have you guys noticed MINI dealers being pretty firm? The VWs are going for below invoice, and seem like really nice cars, but I think I may regret them at the autocross, even though I'm not too concerned with competiveness.

My motorsports pursuits are daily driving, tsp rallies and the occasional autocross, so I don't need a performance machine, but my 1995 Grand Marquis is getting old and I want something more fun.
April 21, 2011 8:51 p.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork

If you have a need for the rear seat,even occasionally,forget the MINI. I just pretend mine's a 2 seater.
April 21, 2011 8:53 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

I don't need a backseat. Twenty something single urban dwelling engineer with 40ish miles daily round trip commute.
April 21, 2011 8:56 p.m. Capt Slow Dork

Sounds like you want a hot hatch. What about the Mazdaspeed3?
April 21, 2011 8:58 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

Too smiley, and are the interiors still gawdawful?

Though, accurate, I wish the Focus ST was here, or at least more definite.
April 21, 2011 8:58 p.m. ansonivan Dork

You need a Hyundai Accent. You'll pay practically nothing for the car and you'll have infinite fun since you won't be worried about parking lot dings, cone rash, rock chips or anything else. Do it, report back.
April 21, 2011 9:00 p.m. loosecannon Reader

We gave up our MINI for a Boxster and as wonderful as the Porsche is, we miss the daily fun of driving the MINI. And Adam Carolla says it's the only fwd car he ever enjoyed driving.
April 21, 2011 9:01 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

I was considering the Kia Forte Koup (dumb name). It would be fun, and wouldn't preclude getting a second car sooner or later, like a Miata or a 944.
April 21, 2011 9:03 p.m. mw HalfDork

Well, I hate VW's, but I've spent all day working on my friend's MINI (control arm bushings, hubs, tie rod ends, brakes, etc) and I've lost pretty much all the lust I've had for them. I'd probably still go for the MINI, but pay someone else to work on it. (Warranty is good)
April 21, 2011 9:03 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

loosecannon wrote:

We gave up our MINI for a Boxster and as wonderful as the Porsche is, we miss the daily fun of driving the MINI. And Adam Carolla says it's the only fwd car he ever enjoyed driving.

Wow, I literally was listening to Carcast today while driving from Pittsburgh to Columbus for Easter and heard him say that. I don't remember who he was interviewing, but it was a guy with a heavily modified 2002 MCS.

Also, I want to his show in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, really enjoyed it and recommend it to others.

Sometimes, I think he is the American Jeremy Clarkson.
April 22, 2011 12:03 p.m. vwcorvette Reader

Fiat 500? Not available til 2012 though.
April 22, 2011 12:30 p.m. LainfordExpress Reader

I went and test drove again today. They have one more or less with the options I want except it has that infernal sunroof. Can get the premium package for free though. Argh, I'm too indecisive.
April 22, 2011 12:40 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

mw wrote:

Well, I hate VW's, but I've spent all day working on my friend's MINI (control arm bushings, hubs, tie rod ends, brakes, etc) and I've lost pretty much all the lust I've had for them. I'd probably still go for the MINI, but pay someone else to work on it. (Warranty is good)

After you've done those jobs enough times, they're not that bad. Personally, I like working on MINI's. Very easy cars to work on after you get used to them. Of course, I don't find my Mk IV TDI to be that bad to work on either. I find both easier to wrench on than my E30.

I'm somewhat surprised dealers are still demading MSRP for them. Granted, where I live (NJ/PA), there is more dealer-dealer competition than in most of the country. Close to a doze dealers within a ~2 hr drive. A MCS will probably hold its value a bit better. Dealer experience is usually a bit better than most VW dealers. Online support for both is pretty good.

As far as a MCS vs. a GTI... well, the MINI is a better driver's car... whereas the GTI would be better to live with day to day (much nicer interior). If you want/need an automatic, the VW DSG wins. The MCS wins the mpg battle.

If it were my own money, an R56 JCW would be on the short list. I have written too much about how much I dislike sunroofs and the MINI sunroof in particular. Fortunately, any Premium package option can be ordered a la cart. Not so if you want an option that requires a sunroof on the GTI.
April 22, 2011 1:09 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

MINI all the way if those are the only two choices. VW's are slowly creeping up to the Chevy Vega in terms of build quality/reliability, you couldn't PAY me to touch one of those. As an aside, YES I WANT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY is what you should say to the dealer. Seriously. Mine recently saved me about 6 grand after I told the wife we didn't want one, and she did it anyhow.

But- try the Mazdaspeed3 again. Find a dealer that will let you out alone with one, or one that doesn't mind you hammering on it. You won't regret it.

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